doing
DOO-ihng
Doing (noun) means an action or deed, especially one someone is held responsible for. Example: “The mess in the kitchen was clearly his doing.”
noun
1
An action or deed, especially one someone is held responsible for.
"Draining that swamp is going to take some doing!"
"The mess in the kitchen was clearly his doing."
"Whatever went wrong with the plan, it was none of my doing."
"The broken window was the doing of a stray football."
How to use doing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that has been done, especially when someone is to blame or credit for it.
Common pairings
his own doing
nothing to do with my doing
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Word forms
- Plural
- doings
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The mess in the kitchen was clearly his _____.
Etymology
The "-ing" form of "do," used as a noun.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for doing
See all rhymes for doing →Frequently asked questions
What does “doing” mean?
The word “doing” means an action or deed, especially one someone is held responsible for. In plain terms, something that has been done, especially when someone is to blame or credit for it.
How do you pronounce “doing”?
“Doing” is pronounced DOO-ihng (/ˈduːɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “doing” in a sentence?
Here is “doing” used in a sentence: “The mess in the kitchen was clearly his doing.”
What part of speech is “doing”?
“Doing” is a noun.
Is “doing” a common word?
“Doing” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What does 'your doing' mean?
If something is 'your doing', it means you are the one who caused or brought it about, and are therefore responsible for it. It often carries a note of blame — 'this mess is your doing' — but can also credit someone, as in 'the recovery was largely her doing'.
What is the difference between a 'doing' and a 'deed'?
Both refer to something a person does, but the emphasis differs. A 'deed' highlights the act itself, often a notable or deliberate one, as in 'a good deed'. A 'doing' stresses who is responsible for a result, which is why it so often appears as 'his doing' or 'their doing'.
What is an example of 'doing' as a noun?
You might say 'the broken vase was entirely the cat's doing' or 'the team's success was all his doing'. In both, 'doing' names the action while pointing firmly at who caused it. The plural 'doings' can also mean someone's activities, as in 'the doings of the royal family'.
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